Ricardo Rocha Bio Send To Friend  

Rocha joined crisis club Portsmouth two days after the close of the winter transfer window in 2010 as he was available on a free transfer following his release by Standard Liege.

The defender joined Pompey on a deal on the end of the season, returning to English football just five months after leaving Tottenham to pursue a career in Belgium.

Rocha was first brought to England by then Spurs' boss Martin Jol in the January 2007 transfer window to replace the departing Calum Davenport and injured skipper Ledley King.

The versatile defender made 14 appearances in the second half of 2006-07 season and was ever-present at the start of the following campaign until an ankle injury sidelined him for three months.

Rocha made just five appearances in 2007-08 and with first-team opportunities limited he went on to play for the reserves, where he provided valuable experience for Spurs' younger players.

Starting his career in 1998, Rocha played in his native Portugal with F.C. Famalicão and S.C. Braga, making over 100 appearances before sealing a move to Benfica.

His consistent defensive performances earned him a call up to the Portugal squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Finland and Denmark, and he played 81 times, scoring 4 goals, during his five-year career with the club.

Amid interest from Tottenham in the 2007 January transfer window, the Portuguese media reported that a move to England was imminent.

Rocha made his debut in the FA Cup win over Southend in January 2007 and made his Premier League bow against Sheffield United on February 10. He ended the season with nine appearances as a Spurs player.

Having made just 18 appearances for Tottenham in two-and-a-half years, he joined Liege on September 1, 2009 when signing a one-year contract. But despite making four appearances in the Champions League group stages, he was allowed to leave the club in January 2010.